File photo of Venezuela’s President Chavez and his Cuban counterpart Castro joke at Havana’s Karl Marx theatre

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez (L) and his Cuban counterpart Fidel Castro joke after joining their medallions, given by medical graduates, at Havana’s Karl Marx theatre, in this August 20, 2005 file photo. Ailing Cuban leader Castro said on February 19, 2008 that he will not return to lead the country as president or commander-in-chief, retiring as head of state 49 years after he seized power in an armed revolution. REUTERS/Claudia Daut/Files (CUBA)